Girnar Lion Attack: 25 Trackers to Guard Pilgrims

GANDHINAGAR : A tragic lion attack in Girnar hills that claimed the life of an 11-year-old child has triggered a major safety overhaul by the Gujarat government. In a bid to prevent human-wildlife conflicts and protect thousands of pilgrims visiting the sacred hills, the Forest Department has decided to deploy 25 new trackers, introduce drone surveillance and prepare a special safety protocol.

Following the incident in Junagadh, Forest Minister Arjun Modhwadia held a high-level meeting with senior forest officials on July 13 to review the situation and strengthen security measures in the Girnar region.

During the meeting, officials decided to increase ground-level monitoring by appointing additional trackers. Check posts will also be established at sensitive locations to regulate pilgrim movement and track wildlife activity.

“The safety of pilgrims and protection of wildlife are both our priorities. The Forest Department will take immediate steps to prevent such incidents in the future,” officials said.

A major decision taken during the meeting was the preparation of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for pilgrim movement in Girnar. The SOP will focus on reducing direct encounters between humans and wild animals while ensuring safer access to religious sites.

The government has also declared the Datar area of Girnar a permanent silent zone. Authorities said the move aims to protect wildlife behaviour and prevent disturbance caused by human activities.

To improve surveillance, the Forest Department will use drone technology to monitor animal movement and identify vulnerable areas. Field officers have been instructed to take immediate action whenever risks are detected.

The Forest Minister also announced plans to strengthen manpower in forest regions. Along with increasing trackers wherever required, the department will initiate recruitment of beat guards to fill long-pending vacancies.

“The government follows a zero-tolerance policy towards disturbing lions or interfering with wildlife. Strict action will be taken against anyone violating wildlife protection rules,” Minister Arjun Modhwadia said.